Apple to Trial Production of New 2018 iPhones to Avoid Launch Delay [Report]

Apple plans to trial production of its new iPhones to avoid the launch delay it encountered last year, according to a DigiTimes report.

Trial production is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2018 at the earliest and could help Apple avoid situations like the initial low yield rates on 3D sensor modules that pushed back the launch of the iPhone X.

The kick-off of the trial production will help push ahead the delivery schedules for 2018 iPhone devices so that they will rekindle its smartphone momentum, said the sources, adding that sales of iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X have been lower than expected.

iPhone supply chain sources are generally more optimistic about order prospects for 2018. Apple is expected to release two OLED iPhones (5.8-inch and 6.4-inch) and a new 6.1-inch LCD model.